If you don't go away . . . c. 19th century

Editor: This print, "If you don't go away . . . " by Paul Gavarni, shows a domestic scene with a hidden man. I'm struck by the woman's defiant pose. What can you tell me about its context? Curator: Gavarni’s work often satirizes bourgeois life, particularly gender dynamics and societal expectations. Consider how this image challenges conventional portrayals of women, revealing power imbalances and the performative nature of domesticity. How does the gazer in the doorway complicate the woman's agency? Editor: So, it's not just a simple depiction of a woman, but a commentary on social roles? Curator: Precisely. By questioning these roles, Gavarni invites us to examine the broader socio-political structures that shape individual experiences and power dynamics in 19th-century France. What does the text accompanying the artwork suggest to you?